Step 1: Verify AICTE Approval. Go to aicte-india.org/approved-institutes. Search by college name or AICTE permanent ID. Check year-wise approval status. Cross-reference branch + intake. Common red flag: "AICTE applied for" branches.
Step 2: Verify NAAC Accreditation. Go to naac.gov.in/accredited-institutions. Search college name. Check current accreditation grade + validity expiry. Grade interpretation: A++ top tier, A+ premium (RVCE, BMSCE, MSRIT), A strong (DSCE, NMIT, BMSIT), B+ decent.
Step 3: Verify NIRF Rank. Go to nirfindia.org. Use category filters (Engineering, University, Overall). Cross-reference the year. Caveats: rank "201-300" means anywhere in that range. "All India" rank vs "Engineering Category" rank are different.
Step 4: Verify Placement Claims. Look for the college''s annual Placement Brochure on official website. Should state: total students placed vs total batch, branch-wise breakdown, top recruiters, salary ranges with median. Cross-check with Glassdoor / LinkedIn.
Step 5: Verify Fee Structure. Check the college''s official fee structure PDF. Cross-reference with GINED (Karnataka government), AICTE-required disclosure. Common scams: hidden donations, "Year 1 only" advertising, cash demands above ₹2L (illegal).
Step 6: Verify Faculty + Infrastructure. The college''s annual mandatory disclosure document should list faculty count, lab/library/classroom infrastructure, industry partnerships.
Step 7: Verify University Affiliation. VTU-affiliated, autonomous, or deemed university — verify with VTU portal or UGC.
Common Scams: "AICTE applied for" branches; cash demands > ₹2L; "Limited seats remaining" pressure; fee rebates "with conditions"; agents promising specific colleges.